Cultural and tourism camps showcasing the traditions of 12 ethnic groups in Son La province have become a major attraction during the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2026, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the diverse cultural heritage of Vietnam's northwest.

Every year around Vietnam’s National Day or Independence Day on September 2, the Moc Chau plateau comes alive with the sound of traditional Mong flutes and vibrant brocade colours, drawing large numbers of visitors eager to experience the cultural traditions of local ethnic communities. In 2026, the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week will be held at the provincial level for the first time, with an expanded scale and a renewed format aimed at strengthening its position as a key cultural and tourism event of Son La province and enhancing the appeal of the highland destination.

The People’s Committee of Chieng An ward on August 8 held a ceremony at Tam Quynh hamlet Cultural House to launch the Thai Ethnic Cultural Club and reenact the Han Khuong Festival.

The Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television, in coordination with the provincial Culture and Sports Centre, organised the “Ve Ban Em” (Coming to my hamlet) gameshow in Huoi Mot commune on August 18. The programme attracted a large number of local residents.

The Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television, in coordination with the provincial Culture and Sports Centre, on August 17 organised the “Ve ban em” (Coming to my hamlet) gameshow in Bo Sinh commune. The event attracted a large number of local residents, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

To commemorate the 79th Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 – 2026), the Son La provincial People's Committee organised a special art performance entitled “Hell on Earth” at the Memorial to the Martyrs of Son La Prison on the evening of July 27.

For generations, the Thai ethnic community in Son La has been renowned for its rich culinary heritage, deeply infused with the distinctive flavours of Vietnam's northwestern mountains and forests. Using simple, locally sourced ingredients, Thai women transform everyday produce into flavourful dishes that not only preserve their cultural identity but also captivate visitors from near and far. Each dish tells a story of harmony with nature, community living, and the warm hospitality of the local people.

Alongside the 12 ethnic groups living in Son La, smaller ethnic communities such as the La Ha, Kho Mu, and Khang have enriched the province's vibrant cultural landscape with their unique traditions. Over time, many of their cultural practices faced the risk of disappearing. However, thanks to the dedication of local artisans, the collective efforts of their communities, and, most importantly, the practical support and practical solutions of authorities at all levels, the cultural heritage of these smaller ethnic groups is being preserved, safeguarded, and promoted.

As part of the Thuan Chau Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2026, Thuan Chau commune on July 3 morning reenacted the traditional Xen Ban, a traditional festival that embodies the distinctive cultural identity of the Thai ethnic people.

Family is where moral values, healthy lifestyles, and cherished traditions are nurtured and passed on. In response to Vietnam Family Day (June 28) and the 2026 National Month of Action on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, authorities at all levels, sectors, and localities across Son La province have implemented a wide range of communication and awareness-raising activities to promote the meaning and values of the family. These efforts aim to enhance the awareness and responsibility of individuals and communities in building happy families, which serve as the foundation for a happy and prosperous society.

Along the road leading to the centre of Long He commune, past the lush green rice fields of Nong Lanh hamlet, traditional waterwheels continue to turn day and night beside the Nam E stream, channeling water to irrigate the surrounding fields. These waterwheels have long been a distinctive feature of the cultural heritage of the local Thai ethnic community.

Located by the legendary Pha Din Pass, Muong E commune is home to the diverse cultural identities of four ethnic groups: Thai, Kho Mu, Khang, and Mong. This diversity creates a colourful cultural tapestry, which has become a resource for the locality to promote preservation linked to sustainable tourism development.

The Son La provincial Centre for Culture and Sports, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Chieng Coi ward, staged a special art programme marking the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2026) and the 140th International Workers’ Day (May 1, 1886–2026) on the evening of April 25 at Hoang Quoc Viet pedestrian street.

The Han Thuc (Cold Foods) Festival, observed on the third day of the third lunar month, is regarded by many Vietnamese families as an occasion to honour ancestors, gather together to make banh troi (floating cake) and banh chay (lean cake), and reflect on their cultural roots and traditions.

No longer confined to community spaces, traditional rituals and festivals tied to the spiritual lives of ethnic groups in Son La are increasingly being brought to the stage, making them more accessible to wider audiences. This “theatrical adaptation” breathes new life into intangible cultural heritage, enriching their original values while offering a flexible and effective approach to preservation and promotion.